Cloud gaming emissions: streaming games can raise or lower carbon footprint depending on device type

Cloud gaming is growing fast, with over 395 million users in 2024 and forecasts nearing 500 million by 2027. But streaming games over the internet does not automatically reduce emissions. Research cited in this Corporate Knights article shows that cloud gaming on a console or PC connected to a TV produces more carbon per hour than playing disc-based games. However, using a dedicated cloud gaming device like a Logitech G Cloud or Nvidia Shield TV cuts emissions below physical game play. The article highlights a central challenge: the video game industry lacks standardized carbon reporting, making it hard to compare impacts across hardware, data centers, and player behavior. Playing for the Planet, an industry alliance, found total carbon impact per hour of gameplay averages around 50 grams of CO2 equivalent. The key variable is electricity source. Researchers and advocates agree that shifting data centers and gaming devices to renewable electricity is the simplest way to cut emissions. Without that, the shift to cloud gaming could increase the sector's carbon footprint as data center energy use grows.